ABILITIES, TALENTS, ETC.
The current "Shape of Faith" discussion topic is: What are our abilities, talents, and/or lessons that can be put to use? What may or may not be God's plan for us, to bring glory to His name?
The first thing that comes to mind is that I do have ability in the kitchen. I get novel ideas on cooking techniques or for new recipes; I often work through them with happy results. But I've wondered in the past: How does this bring glory to God?! I look back, recalling the "Before" and "After" (before I knew Jesus, and after). Before I knew the Lord, I used this ability at the sandwich shop my husband and I have run for over twenty years, and became quite popular with the local gourmands. But it was a trap. The nature of the beast (in the world of physical appetite) is that it's fairly insatiable. One can never completely please everybody. But I tried, as my self-esteem relied on the accolades of my peers. God also saw fit to add another amusing quotient: A co-worker that spurred me on constantly, forever suggesting more and more newer recipes and foods to share with our deli patrons. I was on a never-ending merry-go-round, getting dizzy and frustrated and overwhelmed!
But I got saved (from many things), thank-you Jesus! After looking to the Lord for my guidance, my ambitions changed, from wanting to satisfy everyone's appetite, to wanting to please God. Years later, I can now see how this does indeed bring glory to God. I do still have a talent, but God has brought it under His control, saving me from the strife and anxiety that used to accompany my ambition. Now, I can cook away in my deli kitchen, but with total peace and joy. More people seem to appreciate our eatery now, even in its less-ambitious, more humble form. Praise God. (What good would it do for me to prepare exquisite culinary delights, only to be stressed out, serving them up in a frazzle?!)
And then there's my weakness. Or at least, one of them. It's singing. I sing OK. I sing on-key. I love to sing, praises to God. And I'm on the worship team at church. It's awesome- very amusing. Because God's using me in a place that's not my forte. But it keeps me humble. No way can I get a big head, since I know that there are many who sing much, much better than I. But that's OK! One way God has "grown" me through this is to help me see myself more accurately. When I was a teen, I got the idea that I could become a rock star. I actually thought I sang great. My husband had to inform me that I was changing keys, sliding into notes, etc.... Funny that when I couldn't sing, I thought I could! And now that I know how to sing better, I'm more aware of my shortcomings than ever.
I'm curious to see how God uses me in the future, though I'm absolutely convinced "that God, who began the good work within (me) will continue His work until it is finally finished on that day when Christ Jesus comes back again. " Phiilippians 1:6 YEAH!
Thank you for taking the time to read my testimony. I hope that you have been helped and/or inspired by it.
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